Zhou Yan promptly examined the differences between his upgraded buildings and their previous forms.
[Building: King Crystal]
[Grade: 1]
[Defense: 200/200]
[Shield: 1000]
[Special: Thunder Attack]
[Introduction: The core hub of the lord space, this transformed crystal combines offense and defense, actively striking malicious creatures within ten meters.]
The revelation stunned him. Not only had the defense doubled, but a shield now bolstered it with an additional 1000 points—ten times the original crystal's strength. Visually, the King Crystal impressed even more. Flashes of thunder danced across its surface, purple lightning coiling around it with palpable power. A transparent, glass-like shield encased it, safeguarding its 1000-point defense. The lord crystal anchored the territory's existence. Other structures could be rebuilt if lost, but its destruction spelled the end. On the Canglan Continent, such a loss often shattered lords physically and mentally. Many ended up in Qingshan Mental Hospital; some even took their own lives.
Zhou Yan turned his attention to the other buildings.
[Building: Spiritual Bamboo House]
[Level: 1]
[Defense: 100/100]
[Special: Gather Spiritual Qi]
[Introduction: Absorbs ambient aura, accelerating cultivation.]
[Building: Bronze Sparrow Terrace]
[Level: 1]
[Function: Summon]
[Special: Female Hero]
[Introduction: Home to powerful female heroes from other worlds. Primary summoning costs 100 soul coins, intermediate 500, advanced 1000, and super summoning 10,000. Note: Higher costs increase the chance of summoning a hero.]
[Building: Mystery Store]
[Level: 1]
[Defense: 100/100]
[Function: Purchase]
[Special: Refresh]
[Introduction: Refreshes a batch of items every 24 hours, purchasable with soul coins and spirit coins.]
Shock coursed through him again. Words eluded him. The crude thatched cottage had become a quaint bamboo dwelling, shrouded in faint mist, exuding the aura of a sage's retreat. The Bronze Sparrow Terrace stood out, promising hero summons—albeit female ones. Soldiers paled in comparison to heroes; ten minions couldn't rival one. Yet, with an ordinary barracks and white lord quality, summoning a hero was nearly impossible. Though the terrace didn't guarantee success, its potential thrilled him.
"With only 100 soul coins, I can't risk a failed summon," he reasoned. "A monster attack could overwhelm me next." Caution guided him. The initial soul coins demanded careful use to maximize his territory's growth.
He approached the former altar's site. Now, a modest shop-like structure stood in its place. Curious, he stepped inside. The Mystery Store was unmanned, but five items gleamed on the counter, each encased in a protective barrier. Their details hovered within his sight.
The first, a weapon, offered a mere +2 strength boost. Its black iron quality marked it as the lowest tier, barely worth notice. The second item caught his eye—a card.
[Item: One-Fold Card]
[Price: 0]
[Introduction: A grand opening gift, refreshed upon the store's debut. Reduces mystery store purchase costs to 10%. Note: Usable only here.]
"A welfare card," Zhou Yan murmured. He claimed it instantly. The card materialized on the counter, and he pocketed it.
The third item—a building—intrigued him. Its price, however, far exceeded his means, leaving him to sigh in resignation. The fourth, wood, represented a resource vital for future upgrades alongside stone. Territories rich in such materials could harvest and trade them, earning spirit coins for development.
The fifth item widened his eyes in disbelief.
[Item: Hero Summoning Card]
[Quality: Unknown]
[Price: 1000 soul coins]
[Introduction: Use in a barracks to guarantee a hero summon.]
Astonishment gripped him. The Bronze Sparrow Terrace tempted him, but its uncertainty deterred risking his 100 soul coins. This card promised certainty. Without hesitation, he applied the One-Fold Card, slashing the price to 100 soul coins, and purchased it.
[Deducted: One 10% discount card, 100 soul coins. Acquired: One Hero Summoning Card.]
He dashed to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace. The single-story structure resembled an ancient pavilion, its design simple yet elegant. A glowing formation near the wall stood as its only feature. Heart pounding, Zhou Yan placed the Hero Summoning Card onto the light.
"Activate summoning?" a prompt inquired.
"Yes," he affirmed.
A beam erupted from the formation, coalescing behind him. Zhou Yan turned. A delicate fragrance wafted toward him, and a woman emerged before his eyes.